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The effect of different weaning strategies on growth performance, health, ruminal fermentation parameters, blood metabolites and economic efficiency of Holestein calves

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Graduate, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gonbad Kavous, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Gonbad Kavous, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

3 Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar, University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

In order to compare the effects of different weaning strategies on feed intake, structural growth measurement and health, blood metabolites and economic efficiency of young dairy calves, twenty four female Holstein calves were used. Calves after birth were randomly assigned into one of three weaning strategy as follow: 1) weaning based on feed intake, 2) weaning based on weight gain (30 kg weight gain compared to the birth weight), and 3) weaning based on age (at 90 days of age). Starter intake measurement and fecal scoring conducted daily. Calves were weighed weekly and blood samples were obtained on days 21, 42, 60 and 90 after birth. Results showed that there were significant differences among different weaning strategies on average weaning age and milk consumption (p<0.05). All treatments had similar average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake, final weight and structural growth measurements. Calves weaned based on feed intake had lowest ruminal pH and N-NH3 concentration and blood urea nitrogen on day 90 (p<0.05). There were differences between groups on milk cost and total cost (milk + feed) and feed cost per kg of BW gain, so that Weaning based of feed intake compared to weaning based on weight and age  saved up to 6000 and 3000 Rials per kg of body weight, respectively. Generally, similar growth and performance among different weaning strategies as well as reduction the cost of raising of calves indicated that calves weaning based on feed intake can be profitable approach.

Keywords

References
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Animal Production
Volume 18, Issue 3
October 2016
Pages 461-475
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